Independent Advisory Board

Correction Law §8(3) establishes the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s authority to conduct a psychological screening on applicants for employment as a Correction Officer. The Independent Advisory Board serves to review candidates who have been deemed ineligible for appointment following the psychological screening and wish to appeal.

Correction Law §8(7) dictates that, prior to March 1 each year, the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision will report to the Governor, president of the Senate and speaker of the assembly on the conduct of the psychological testing program and its results in improving the quality of correction officer candidates.

Pursuant to Correction Law §8(4), the Independent Advisory Board consists of three members who are selected by the president of the Civil Service Commission. The three-member board must consist of a New York State licensed psychologist, a New York State licensed psychiatrist, and a representative of the Department of Civil Service.

The Department of Civil Service maintains a list of alternate board members comprised of New York State licensed psychologists, New York State licensed psychiatrists, and representatives nominated by the president of the Civil Service Commission. Alternates sit on the Advisory Board when a designated member is unable to serve. The three-member Advisory Board must always include a New York State licensed psychologist, a New York State licensed psychiatrist, and a representative of the Department of Civil Service.

• Psychiatrist, Jeffrey Bernstein, MD. – Albany County
• Psychiatrist, Marcos Nieves, MD. – Albany County 
• Psychologist, Mark Tatar, Ph. D.  – Rensselaer County
• Psychologist, Alfred Volo, Ph. D. – Albany County
• Civil Service Rep. George Sabey – Saratoga County
• Civil Service Rep. Timothy McMullen – Albany County
• Civil Service Rep. Judith Ratner – Albany County
• Civil Service Rep. Marc Hannibal – Warren County   

In accordance with Correction Law §8(4), Advisory Board members and alternates are reimbursed for services and actual costs at a per diem rate not to exceed nine hundred dollars for the psychiatrist, seven hundred dollars for the psychologist and six hundred dollars for the representative of the civil service department. If any Advisory Board member or alternate is a New York State employee, they are only eligible to receive reimbursement for actual costs incurred.

Meeting agendas are comprised of a provided list of candidates that appealed their psychological disqualification along with the candidate’s files for review. The IAB meets Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Albany Training Academy located at 1134 New Scotland Rd, Albany, NY 12208.